Embolism

Embolism is a sudden occlusion of a blood vessel by a small
body traveling in the circulatory system.

A strong organism is not given to gathering moss, so to speak, as
we see in the case of the old oaken bucket. However, there is a very
strong tendency for the development of emboli from deposits taking
place in the heart, on the valves of the heart, and in the blood
vessels, when there has been toxin infection running on for
years. This occurs when the blood fails to carry a normal amount of
enzymes.

A normal blood digests all clots which form from whatever
cause. When foreign bodies succeed in gaining entrance into the
circulation, they must be very resistant if they are not digested and
made a part of the blood. The same is true of the lymphatic
circulation. The lymphatic glands have the power of benevolently
assimilating toxins that are absorbed.

Emboli are divided into exogenous and endogeenous--those entering
the body and those developed in the body.

Endocarditis ends in atheromatous productions which open into the
general circulation. The same occurs in arteritis. This accounts for
many sudden and unexpected deaths.

Blood clots form on the interior of the blood vessels. They are
caused by injury and various diseased conditions. Inflammation of the
aorta may at almost any time furnish an embolus. that will swing into
the circulation and cause a fatal obstruction.

Inflammation of veins is very liable to cause emboli. Phlebitis is
caused by infection, This disease is very prone to cause embolism. It
should never be forgotten that, if it were not for man's great
immunizing power, he would be unable to protect himself against the
many invasions of his organism.

Course of Emboli: Emboli follow a regular route. Those of the
arteries start from a lesion of the pulmonary veins, of the left
heart, or of the aorta. They pass into the left carotid. They stop at
the sylvian, and produce hemiplegia with aphasia. The embolus may
follow the aorta, and may stop in the splenic, the renal, or the iliac
arteries.

Effects of Embolism: Arrest may be in the heart. In this case
sudden death may occur. A reflex syncope is produced, due to the
excitation of the endocardium.

Pulmonary apoplexy may be caused by an embolus.

Softening is a common effect of embolism. Apoplexy is another
effect.

When emboli are very small, only headache, dizziness, or some
mental disturbance may result.

Partial or complete blindness may result from embolism of the
central artery of the retina.